Animal-scratching device



y 1945- F. L. HEESE ANIMAL-SCRATCHIFNG DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I Filed April 29, 1944 -F/'zo L. H5555; 7

' WWW m y Patented July 31, 1945 ANMAL-SCBATQHING DEVICE Fred L. Heese, render, Nebraas'signor to Auto-' matio Equipment Mann! turing Com Pender, Nebn. a corporation of Nebraska Application mu 29. 1944, Serial No. mass (01. 110-451) This invention relates to animal-scratching devices of a generally similar nature to that constituting the subject matter of U. S. Patent No. 2,333,946, issued November 9, 1943, upon which the present device constitutes an improvement.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide, in a manneras hereinafter set forth,

a scratching device of the aforementioned character comprising unique means, operable by the animal, for discharging powder on the body of said animal.

Other objects of th -invention are to provide an improved animal-scratching device of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction-strong, durable, highly efllcient and reliable in use, compact and which may be manufactured and installed at low cost.

All of the foregoing, and still further objects and advantages of the invention, will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate I mu. pm throughout the'several views, and wherein:

Figurelisaviewinfront elevationofan' animal-scratching device constructed in accordance with the presentinvention.

Figure2isaviewinhorirontalsection. taken substantiallyonthelhaekloil'lgurel. l'igurc3isaverticalsectionalviewthrcugh the powder dispensing means, taken substantiallyontnelineHofI 'iginel.

. the bar 3 and the brush 2.

Mounted on the member ii of the frame i is a housing i2 of substantially inverted cup shape. Mounted in the housing I! and suspended from the top it thereof is a collapsible, bellows-type container It for the reception of powder. A removable closure II is provided on the top it of the housing II for filling the collapsible container it.

Suspended from thelower end of the collapsible container is and communicating therewith is a discharge tube Ill. The discharge tube l6 extends siidably through a vertical guide bearing l 'l which is provided therefor on the member ll of the frame i and projects into the com paratively large tube 5. A nozzle i8 is mounted in the upper end portion of the discharge tube; it. Fixed on the discharge tube It at an intermediate point is a collar IS. A coil spring 120 is engaged with the collar is for yieidingly Referring now to the drawings in detail, it willbe seen that theembodiment oLthe present invention which has been illustrstedcomprises a. channel iron frame of substantially inverted U shapewhich "is designatedsenerally by reference character I. The frame I is to be pro- 7 vided with suitablesupporting means such, for o example, as a pair of posts fixed in the-ground. Moimted for vertical sliding movement in the" frame i is an arcuat animal-actuated brush 2. Mounted horizontally on the brush 2 is a bar 3 having its end portions slidably engaged in the legs I of the frame ,ll ,A tube 5 extends vertically through the back I of the brush 2 and the bar I and is secured on the latter through the medium of angular brackets I. In the embodiment shown, a nut 8 is threaded on the-lower end portion of the tube 5 for retaining the brush 2 thereon. Upwardly diverging leaf springs 9 have their-lower end portions secured on the feet ll of the brackets l. The upper end portions of the springs! are slidably engaged beneath the top member Ii of the frame resisting upward movement of the discharge tube It. A stop flange 2i on the upper end portion of the tube It is engageable onthe member ll of the frame I for limiting downward movement of said tube It.

It is thought that :the operation of the device will be' readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the movable members are normally held in the position shown in Figuse i o! the drawings by the springs 9 and 20 with the assistance of gravity. when an animal passes through the frame I the brush 2 is raised by said animal as it passes therebeneath. When the brush 2. also the bar 8. are. forced upwardly against the tension of the springs I, the tube I engages the collar i9 and raises the discharge tube against the tension of the coil spring 20. Thus, the container I4 is collapsed for ejecting a portion of the powder therefrom through the nozzle i8, said powder passing downwardly through the tubes it and 5 and being discharged on the body of the animal. When the animal passes from beneath the brush 2, said I brush returns to lowered position and the tube I6 is moved" downwardly by the spring 20 for again expanding or opening the collapsible powder container it. The device is now ready for the next operation. Downward movement of the bar 3 is limited by stops 22 on the legs l of the frame I.

.It is believed that the many advantages of an animal-scratching device constructed in ac-' cordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred 2 2,seo,s42

embodiment of said device is as illustrated and discharging the powder therefrom on the 15 animal.

2. An -scratching device comprising a substanti y u-shraped frame, a housing of substantially inverted cup shape mounted on top of the frame. a collapsible powder-dispensing container mounted in the housing, a discharge 7 tube depending from the collapsible container and extending slidably through the top portion of the frame. a collar fixed on said discharge tube, an animal-actuated brush mounted for 10 vertical sliding movement in the frame, and a tube on the brush operable (m the first-named tube and engageable with the collar i'or collapsing the container and discharging .the powder therefrom on said animal.

' FRED L. REESE. 

